Means for storing articles in warerooms



July 18, 1939. 115; ou s 2,156,704

MEANS FOR STORING ARTICLES In VIAREROOHS Filed March 10, 1837 i 2 sheetssheet'l J Haj Z By MSAZzOrW -WQ Um &

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511 ms Atiorne yx Patented July 18, 1939 UNITED STATES MEAN 8 FORSTORING ARTICLES IN WAREROOMS Thomas Edward Foulkes, London, EnglandApplication March 10,

1937, Serial No. 130,065

In Great Britain March 14, 1936 7 Claims.

The industrial activities antecedent to the retail purchase of domesticand like commodities may be devided into four classes or sections,namely production, transport, distribution and storage. This isespecially so in a large self-contained organization such as theco-operative movement.

During recent years, the rates of production, transport and distributionhave been accelerated considerably and the stream of goods flowing intoand out of the storage departments has increased, both in its volume andin rate.

It is found, as a consequence, that the hitherto known methods ofstorage in which the goods are placed on fixed shelves in presses orparallel rows with a gangway between them, are inadequate to deal withthe increased rate of flow of goods without requiring increased storagespace and increased staffs for handling the goods, all of which meansincreased running costs for those departments.

The object of this invention is to provide a method of storing goodswhereby within a given volume of space an increased quantity of goodsmay be located, and whereby such goods will be in a mobile or mechanisedstate so that their flow into and out of the storage departments whichhave not been increased in size may keep pace with the acceleratedproduction, transport and distribution.

According to the invention, the articles to be stored are mounted oncarrier-members or units arranged in rows, the rows being closetogether, and the carrier members in all the rows, or in all but one ofthe rows being capable of movement along their respective rows so thatany of the carrier members may be exposed to view at will, forinspection of or removal and replacement of the goods.

Usually the rearmost row of carrier members will be stationary, and mayconsist of one continuous unit, of a length exceeding the combinedlengths (widths) of the units in the next foremost row at least by thewidth of the widest of such units. The rows of units in front of therearmost row may all have the same number of units, or each succeedingrow may have one or more less than the next behind it, or every pair orother number of rows may have one or more members less than the nextpair etc. behind it.

It is not necessary that the total Width of the units in the rearmostrow should be greater than that of the units in the other rows, providedthere is at least sufiicient space in all the rows for movement of theunits to places such that any of them is exposed to view from the front.

When the rearmost row is to be stationary, and is to be erected in aWarehouse or the like where pillars are present for supporting the floorabove, such rearmost row may be built in between the pillars. In suchcases, and in other cases also, say for instance down the centre of ashop, two sets of rows of units may be arranged back to back, the centrerow constituting the rearmost row of each set and having its units openon both sides.

In the preferred arrangements of the carrier members, in all but therearmost row, and when intended merely for storage, all the units willbe of the same width, and they will all be spaced away from each other,the alternate spaces being equal to the width of a unit, and theintermediate spaces being of less width, say equal to one half the widthof a unit. With such arrangement, it possible for the warehousemenwhilst pulling any unit into the full Width space, to push the one infront in the opposite direction, into the half width space, and thereaction which is thus made possible, greatly increases the facilitywith which the unit may be made accessible.

According to a further feature of the invention, means are provided forthe mechanical movement of the units to and fro in their rows.

In all cases, brake mechanism can be applied to the units, to preventtheir accidental movement.

The units will usually be provided with handles or hand holes tofacilitate their being moved, which handles may be part of the brakemechanism, and will have buffers or the like on their ends to minimiseany shock of collision. Such buffers will also serve to prevent theunits coming too close together and trapping the users hands.

The invention may also include means for facilitating the recording orindicating of stocks carried by the units. According to one feature forthis purpose, there is provided on one or both vertical front edges ofthe unit a cork or like strip into which pins may be stuck to affixnotes etc. According to another feature for the same purpose, the frontedges of the shelves are perforated to receive small tabs, theperforations being numbered and the position of the tab indicating thenumber, quantity or value of goods on that particular shelf. Tabs ofdilferent colours may be added for diiferent purposes, for instance, ared tab may indicate that stocks are becoming dangerously low andrequire renewing.

Again there may be distinctive colourings on the ends of the units toindicate the nature of the goods, such as strips, or coloured panels, orthe units themselves being differently coloured for different goods.Alternatively, according to a further feature for the purpose ofrecording stocks, there may be a sliding indicator arranged to be movedacross the front edge of a shelf and to be positioned opposite anydesired number or other indication, the slide preferably having frictionmeans to prevent accidental displacement.

In a warehouse the tracks or rails may have small notches into Which therollers of the units will fit so as to locate them in the normalstationary positions and each unit may have a number at the top, thenumber plates being staggered so that all can be seen at once and achart may be provided at the end of a bank of units showing the positionof the members and the nature of the goods contained therein.

When desired the units, instead of being integral with their wheeledbases may be separate therefrom, and the same base or bogie serve fordifferent units.

In the accompanying drawings, various examples of construction ofapparatus are shown to illustrate the invention:

Fig. 1 is a plan of a ware-room fitted with storage racks according tothe usual system hitherto known, and having 49 bays or units;

Fig. 2 is a plan of the same ware-room fitted with mobile storageapparatus according to this invention, in which '71 bays or units, ofthe same size, are provided, whilst leaving adequate room for a truckand for general operations;

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a steel unit or carrier member for useaccording to this invention;

Fig. 4 is a similar view of an undercarriage or bogies for such units;

Fig. 5 is a diagrammatic plan of a further layout of storage units,accessible from both sides, with the centre row built in between fixedpillars of the building;

Fig. 6 is a diagrammatic elevation to illustrate one means forautomatically traversing the units shown in Fig. 3;

Fig. 7 is a diagrammatic elevation to illustrate another means formechanically traversing the units shown in Fig. 3;

Fig. 8 is an end view of an alternative construction of unit; and

Fig. 9 is a plan of a further lay-out of units, in which those in thefront row may be transferred to the back row and vice versa.

Fig. 10 illustrates one method of recording stocks.

Comparing Figs. 1 and 2 it will be seen that each has a row of fixedstationary units a around three sides of the room, whilst thearrangement in Fig. 2 also includes further rows of movable units b,such units moving on rails 0. Each row I) however has a space d equal inwidth at least to one unit, whereby all the units of the rows 0. can bemade accessible as and when required by the units b being moved alongtheir rails. The increase of storage capacity is from 49 bays to 71, andis equal to 44.9%. If desired. and especially in larger rooms than thatshown, a second row of movable units may be provided in front of any ofthe rows a, and such second row may contain the same number of units asthe first movable row, or a smaller number. The drawings are intendedmainly to be diagrammatic and in no way intended to limit the relativesizes, shapes, and numbers of units. Where the units are comparativelythin, say in the case of a library, where they would carry books, theremay be a number of movable rows with any desired sequence of decrease inthe number of units in a row, and with either a regular or an irregularorder of decrease. If the two tracks 0 are crossed in a corner, as shownin Fig. 2, the same space (1 may serve for two rows at right angles toeach other, and another unit a inserted in one of the rows.

Figs. 3 and 4 illustrate one form of unit which has been found suitablein a wholesale stationery warehouse. It consists of a metal underframe ecarried on four wheels f, which run on the rails c. To the underframe eare secured two side walls g, which are connected together by a toppiece g and shelves 9 the side walls being adapted to receive theshelves in a number of alternative positions. A back wall may beprovided if required, or in its place an arrangement of crossed metalstrips may be provided, as is known in stationary steel ofiice shelving.

Where the goods to be stored are heavy, the units may have more thanfour wheels, and may run on more than two rails.

In Fig. 5 an arrangement of units is illustrated suitable for awarehouse or the like where pillars or columns are present, to supportthe next floor above. As shown, the row of fixed units a is built inbetween the pillars h, the movable rows b being on each side of thefixed row. In this arrangement also, an intermediate space i is leftbetween certain of the units, of less width than the spaces 01 (althoughthey could be of the same width). As explained above, the provision ofthe intermediate spaces facilitates the moving of the units as theoperator can pull against a unit in one row whilst pushing against thatin front of it, in the next row.

Fig. 9 shows a still further lay-out of units, where there is a doublerow of fixed units a, and a row of movable units 2), on each side, thetracks c for the units b merging together at each end so that units maybe shunted from one row to another. Any other arrangement of tracks maybe provided, with or without switch points, for transferring units fromrow to row. For example, the track 0 may be continuous, havingsemi-circular ends.

The underframe e may be made as a standard member adapted to receiveremovable, interchangeable containers such as the skip or trough 9 shownin Fig. 8. These, when intended for the storage of light-weight, bulkygoods, may overhang the underframe. As also shown, in Fig. 8, the wheelsf on the centre rail may be of slightly larger diameter than those onthe outer rails. Alternatively, the wheels may be of the same size andeither the third rail be slightly higher than the others, or the axlesof the centre wheels be slightly lower than the others.

One method of automatically moving the units of shelving constructedaccording to this invention is illustrated diagrammatically in Fig. 6.An endless conveyor s mounted below the units carries spring-pressedprojections s adapted to meet similarly but oppositely set tongues l onthe units 9. The springs are of a strength such that I timiiwtmwwwjourney, the springs I would be the ones to yield upon the units y beingobstructed.

The projections s and Z may be in a number of different planes, toprevent fouling with each other, and may be adjustable to variouspositions to vary the order of movement of the units.

If the movable units are carried on an inclined track 12, they will runback by gravity as soon as released by the conveyor, and in such casethe conveyor could run continuously in the same direction.

Fig. 7 illustrates diagrammatically a method of mechanically moving theunits of a ware-room. The constantly driven endless rope or likemember 1) passes through two fixed brackets w at the foot of the unit,and a movable bracket to mounted on a hand operated bar w By raising ordepressing the bracket w the rope is gripped and caused to draw the unitalong. Other methods of moving the units mechanically may be adopted.For example, a retractable friction surface on the unit may be pressedinto contact with a like surface on a conveyor band. There may be asecond rope v moving in the opposite direction, with separate connectingmeans therefor on the unit.

The units a, see Fig. 3, will have buffers a to prevent damage to eachother, and will have handles such as o The size of the buffers will besuch as to avoid the trapping of the users hands between adjacent units.

Referring now to Fig. 10, one method of recording or indicating thecontents of the units is illustrated. To the front edge of the side wallg is secured a cork or like strip 9 held in a channel member g, intowhich strip pins or the like may be stuck to hold notices or otherpapers. Further, a similar channel g is secured to the front edge of theshelf, containing a numbered strip g and a movable indicator o Aspreviously stated, other means may be adopted for denoting the contentsof the shelves.

When several units such as the one shown in Fig. 3 are bolted togetherto form a single combined unit, they may have a single underframe, orsome of the rollers of the combined underframe may be omitted.

What I claim is:

l. A storeroom construction adapted for the compact storage ofmerchandise comprising a floor, a series of fixed storage units on saidfloor, each of said units having a plurality of shelves and having afront opening, the sides of the adjacent units being in lateral contact,whereby all of said units are accessible from the front, a second seriesof similar units parallel to said first series located substantially incontact therewith with the backs of said second series adjacent to thefront openings of said first series, said second series being less inextent by at least one unit and being mounted for lateral movement toexpose any one of the units of the first series.

2. A storeroom construction adapted for the compact storage ofmerchandise comprising a substantially rectangular floor, a plurality ofwalls at right angles, a series of fixed storage units along each ofsaid walls on said floor, each of said units having a plurality ofshelves and having a front opening, the backs of said units being alongsaid walls with the adjacent units in lateral contact, whereby all ofsaid units are ac cessible from the front, a second series of similarunits parallel to said first series located substantially in contacttherewith with the backs of said second series adjacent to the frontopenings of said first series, said second series being less in extentby at least one unit and being mounted for lateral movement to exposeany one of the units of the first series.

3. A storeroom construction adapted for the compact Storage ofmerchandise comprising a substantially rectangular fioor, a plurality ofwalls at right angles, a series of fixed storage units along each ofsaid walls, each of said units having a plurality of shelves and havinga front opening, the backs of said units being along said walls with theadjacent units in lateral contact, whereby all of said units areaccessible from the front, a second series of similar units parallel tosaid first series located substantially in contact therewith with thebacks of said second series adjacent to the front openings of said firstseries, said second series being less in extent by at least one unit andbeing mounted for lateral movement to expose any one of the units of thefirst series, there being also an additional space equal to at least oneunit at those corners of said fioor where two such series meet.

4. A construction according to claim 1 wherein in an adjacent part ofsaid floor spaced from said series of units there are placed two rows ofstorage units back to back and having front openings, said rows beingparallel to said series, and a passageway between said rows and series.

5. A storeroom construction adapted for the compact storage ofmerchandise comprising a floor, supporting spaced pillars thereon, aseries of fixed storage units substantially filling the space betweensaid pillars, each of said units having a plurality of shelves andhaving a front opening, the adjacent units bing in lateral contact andarranged with said front openings in alignment, whereby all of saidunits are accessible from the front, a second series of units similarlyarranged parallel to said first series and located substantially incontact therewith with the backs of said second series adjacent to thefront openings of said first series, said second series being entirelyin front of said spaced pillars and being less in extent than the widthof said first series plus said pillars by at least one unit, said secondseries being mounted for lateral movement to expose any one of the unitsof the first series.

6. A storeroom construction adapted for the compact storage ofmerchandise comprising a substantially rectangular fioor, a plurality ofopposed walls in substantially parallel relationship, a series of fixedstorage units along each of said walls on said fioor, each of said unitshaving a plurality of shelves and having a front opening, the backs ofsaid units being along said walls with the adjacent units in lateralcontact, whereby all of said units are accessible from the front, asecond series of similar units parallel to said first series locatedsubstantially in contact therewith with the backs of said second seriesadjacent to the front openings of said first series, said second seriesbeing less in extent by at least one unit and being mounted for lateralmovement to expose any one of the units of the first series.

'7. A storeroom construction adapted for the compact storage ofmerchandise comprising a fioor, a row of fixed storage units havingopenings on both front and back and located in a central portion of saidfloor and with the units of each row in lateral contact, front openingson said rows of units facing in opposite directions, said units eachhaving a plurality of shelves, a

series of similar units parallel to said rows 10- cated with the backsthereof substantially in contact with one of said rows, said seriesbeing less in extent than its adjacent row by at least one unit andbeing mounted for lateral movement to expose any one of the units of itsadjacent row, a second series of similar units parallel to said rows andlocated with the backs thereof substantially in contact with the otherof said rows, said second series being less in extent than its adjacentrow by at least one unit and being mounted for lateral movement toexpose any one of the units of its adjacent row.

THOMAS EDWARD FOULKES.

